12 to Testify Against Lawyer Paul Gicheru in ICC

Lawyer Paul Gicheru when he appeared before the ICC via video-link from the ICC Detention Centre on November 6, 2020
Paul Gicheru when he appeared before the ICC via video-link from the ICC Detention Centre on November 6, 2020
The Standard

Twelve witnesses are lined up to testify in the case against lawyer Paul Gicheru at the International Criminal Case (ICC).

According to the ICC prosecutor, six Kenyans will be lined up to testify the lawyer's influence in the case against Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang.

The ICC prosecution accuses Gicheru of using his position to influence the witnesses to recant their evidence against both Ruto and Sang.

Deputy President William Ruto at the ICC during a Past Hearing
President William Ruto following proceedings at the ICC in 2016
Photo
VOA

The prosecution has also lined up three investigators and an analyst to detail their findings on the case and give context to the court.

Other witnesses will be two to three expert witnesses as well as a possibility of bringing three more witnesses believed to have also recanted their statements under Gicheru's influence.

"At present, the prosecution plans to call approximately 12 to 13 witnesses to give oral testimony at trial," deputy prosecutor, James Stewart, stated.

"Apart from the three expert witnesses mentioned above, the prosecution does not foresee the need to call further expert evidence, nor to jointly brief experts with the defense."

Stewart also noted that the prosecution would require a minimum of 57 hours to present its evidence in court, this also incorporates a direct examination of the witnesses.

"However, the prosecution believes that the above estimates for direct examination may be significantly reduced with appropriate use of rule 68(3) to introduce into evidence the prior recorded testimony of certain witnesses,” Stewart stated.

Items listed as evidence in the case include telephone data, witnesses' bank records, experts' reports, recanting affidavits and public source material.

Gicheru's case has been a protracted court battle after the lawyer surrendered to the ICC in November 2020.

A session underway at Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court
A session underway at Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court
Photo/ICC